Goaltender completed his first NHL season in 2009-10, going 6-3-0 with the Hurricanes

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced today that the team has agreed to terms with goaltender Justin Peters on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Peters $500,000 on the NHL level or $105,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2010-11, with a guarantee of at least $225,000. In 2011-12, it will pay him $550,000 in the NHL, or $105,000 in the AHL, with a guarantee of $250,000.

“Justin has developed very well since he turned professional,” said Rutherford. “He is an important part of our future.”

Peters, 23, made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes in 2009-10, winning each of his first three starts and finishing the season with a 6-3-0 record, 2.83 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in nine games. The Blyth, Ont., native made his first NHL start on Feb. 6, stopping 34 of 35 shots to earn first-star honors against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. He went on to win each of his first three NHL starts, also defeating New Jersey and Toronto before suffering his first NHL loss at Florida on March 6. Peters also appeared in 47 AHL games for Albany, earning a 26-18-2 record with a 2.54 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. He played for the Canadian team at the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic, stopping nine of 11 shots in the second period of Canada’s 10-9 shootout victory.

Peters (6’1”, 205 lbs.) was originally drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round, 38th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 148 career AHL games with Albany, and has a career AHL record of 62-69-6, with a goals-against average of 2.84 and six shutouts. He has also played 32 career ECHL games with Florida during his professional career, going 18-10-3 with a 2.67 goals-against average. Prior to turning pro, he registered a career record of 88-70-16 with a 2.88 goals-against average in 189 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) games with Toronto St. Michael’s and Plymouth.